An area senator wants area retirees to keep Health Alliance as their Medicare Advantage provider. Mike Frerichs’ (D-Champaign) amendment would let those on Medicare Advantage remain on Health Alliance, which was dropped last year by the state for those retiree contracts, despite being the low bidder.

Democrats in the Illinois House on Wednesday handed a significant defeat to Governor Pat Quinn. Fewer than half are willing to go along with his push to extend a higher income tax rate. That could mean significant cuts in state spending.